The sight of Santana on the mound to face hitters in batting practice for the first time this spring made it a good day for the Mets. The veteran lefty pitched two simulated innings, totaling 40 pitches, and remains on course to pitch Tuesday against the Cardinals in an exhibition game.

Santana was all smiles, perhaps the best sign that his surgically repaired left shoulder is holding up.

Santana faced Jason Bay, Wright, Ike Davis and Vinny Rottino before sitting down between “innings.” After resting for several minutes, he returned to the mound and faced Daniel Murphy, Lucas Duda, Scott Hairston and Rob Johnson.

“Today I was looking to see how my arm felt, pitch after pitch with more intensity, and also see how I recover from one inning to another more than anything,” Santana said, adding that he felt good.

“Being able to throw all my pitches, that is what I was looking for. Then you are going to see these guys swinging the bat and joking around a little bit, but at the same time I was very serious about what I was doing.”

Davis said Santana’s signature changeup was “nasty” and almost caused him to break his bat.

“And the fastball he threw right by me,” Davis said. “He was hitting his spots and he didn’t look like he was having any trouble, no pain, and it’s a good thing.”

Manager Terry Collins said Santana is scheduled to throw two innings against the Cardinals on Tuesday.

But for Collins, the goal is to see Santana on the mound for Opening Day at Citi Field, not necessarily dominate in spring training.

“My biggest concern, and I will deal with it on Tuesday when he throws, is somebody is going to take a good swing off him,” Collins said. “I’m going to tell him, that’s all part of it, but do not think for one second you’ve got to amp up and show these guys what you can do.”